MESO initiated its solid
waste management program in response to a growing, visible need for such
services within Arusha municipality. The rapidly expanding presence of
residential and commercial waste products in the city streets is not
only an unsightly nuisance for residents and tourists, but a major
environmental problem. Typically, waste disposal within the city limits
consists of burning, which releases numerous toxins into the atmosphere,
or dumping in open pits, which attracts dogs, rats and other pests. MESO, on the other hand, collects solid waste products directly from
their source, consolidates them, and transports them outside the city
limits where they are stored in landfills.

Management and
administration of the solid waste program is divided into three main
parts:

(a)Collection
of waste from production sources such as households, business premises
and industrial areas. Waste is disposed either directly to the
landfill or to municipal waste collection centers.